For Louisiana Contractors Bidding on Public Works Projects: This Case is for You
On August 2, 2011
By Scott Wolfe Jr
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For all you Louisiana public works contractors out there bidding for public works projects to expand your private business or bidding for public works projects because that’s what you’ve always done – whatever the case may be – the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals is on your side. For cities and states trying to construct public works projects to improve their turf, take notes please.
We’ve written before about what happens in Louisiana when a bidder on a public project violates time requirements under the Louisiana Public Works Act, but what happens when Louisiana or a city within violates time requirements in failing to execute contracts and notices to proceed with a winning bidder for a public project?
On April 27th of this year, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals decided in the Wallance C. Drennan, Inc. v. City of New Orleans case, nuances of certain provisions of the Louisiana Public Works Act (La RS 38:2252 and 38:2212) that ultimately address the question above and render the law more stringent for cities and states advertising for public works bids.
In Wallace, the City of New Orleans advertised bids for two different public works projects under the Louisiana Public Works Act to renovate some streets around town. These two projects were to be partially or fully funded by the Louisiana and Federal governments, but financing was not finalized at the time the bids were received. Wallace C. Drennan, Inc. was the contractor that was the lowest responsive bidder and, thus, won both jobs.
However, because the City delayed executing the contracts for the two jobs within the required 45-day time limit from the day it awarded it to Wallace and because it did not thereafter within 30 days issue “Notices to Proceed,” Wallace sued the City for damages due to delay and tardiness under La. R.S. 38:2215 and 38:2212 of the Louisiana Public Works Act, both provisions cited above.
Wallace won on the issue of liability before trial began. The City appealed to the 4th Circuit, arguing that it gave the requisite notice of delay, but they lost again.
Why? Well, La. R.S. 38:2212(B) states that, “in the event the time limit stipulated herein is not applicable [namely the 45-day and 30-day notice requirements] because of…[an] exception [i.e. delayed financing], this fact shall be mentioned.” Ultimately, the City did not “mention this fact,” according to the 4th Circuit.
If a statutory time limit will not apply, in this case for the reason of tentative financing, that fact must be stated within the project specifications and the official advertisements. A reasonable bidder must be lead to believe that there will be a time delay. Because this was not the case in Wallace and the City did not give requisite notice, it lost the appeal.
The City tried to argue, in what was likely a last ditch effort to save itself from losing, that Wallace waived its right to complain about the imprecise notice. But, as is clearly stated in the statute, the applicable provisions are not subject to waiver by the bidder.
What should cities and states furthering public works projects take away from this case? As the Court itself advises, if a situation like this arises regarding the possibility of delayed financing and time delays in general, rejecting all bids for just cause or extending the deadline by mutual consent with the lowest bidder are both wiser routes to take.
It’s important to remember that public bid law and public works law are founded on the notion of public policy; Courts will almost always refuse to take any action inconsistent with these laws, so all builders take note!
About the Author: Scott Wolfe Jr
Scott Wolfe, Jr. obtained his J.D. degree from Loyola University of New Orleans, and his B.A. from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. In 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, Scott was recognized as a Leader in Law by CityBusiness Magazine. The son and grandson of general contractors, Scott is a construction litigator in the Pacific Northwest, and the founding member of the bi-coastal law firm, Wolfe Law Group. Scott is also the founder and CEO of Express Lien, Inc., a legal document preparation service for contractors. In 2008, City Business Magazine recognized Scott as one of its Innovators of the Year for the Express Lien concept. As an entrepreneur himself, Scott has a strong background in business and commercial transactions and laws. He focuses his practice on the legal issues facing the construction industry, and has represented clients in multi-million dollar construction disputes in litigation and alternative dispute resolution proceedings. Scott is a LEED AP.
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